The Best Camping Beds for a Good Night’s Sleep

Camping is one of the nation’s most popular outdoor activities. It’s a great way to unwind, connect with nature, and escape from the daily grind. None of that matters, though, without a good night’s rest. This is why a great camping bed is an essential camping item. A good camping bed provides comfort, support, and insulation from the ground. We’ve done the work for you and have reviewed the top 6 camping beds that will have you rested and ready for the day’s camping adventures. 

6 Best camping beds at a Glance

1. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm is designed for cold-weather camping. This camping bed is built using the patented Triangular Core Matrix construction and ThermaCapture reflective coating. The ability of a camping bed to retain heat and insulate a sleeper from the cold on the ground is its R-value. The NeoAir XTherm has an R-value of 9.6, the highest ranking of all camping beds. Everything about this bed is engineered to keep you warm at night, making it ideal for camping in extreme cold weather conditions. 

An added bonus of the NeoAir XTherm is it is lightweight and compact, making it a portable piece of camping equipment. It even comes with its own specially designed sack to stuff it into. The only downside is that all that warmth and comfort will cost you a bit more than you’d spend on the average camping bed, but the high quality and durability make the $200-$300 a worthwhile investment. 

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold-weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed

Click here to read about 10 Unforgettable Camping Spots Near Duluth, Minnesota

2. Exped MegaMat Duo 10

If luxurious space and comfort are your to priorities, the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is an excellent choice. This bed is designed for couples or people who just like to spread out when sleeping. It’s built with a 3D construction that provides a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface.

The MegaMat Duo 10 will also keep you warm at night with its advanced insulation system, so it’s suitable for cold weather conditions, too. The bed’s R-value is 9.5, making it one of the warmest camping beds on the market. Though inflatable, it comes with a built-in pump so setting it up and packing it up is easy.

One disadvantage to this bed is it is heavy and bulky, so it’s not that portable. For some campers, however, the bed’s size and weight are a small price to pay for the comfort it provides. Being built for two, it does cost a bit more than a single camping bed. At $300-$400 it’s an investment for sure but is still a great value for all that snoozing square footage.

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold-weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed

3. Nemo Tensor Insulated

The Nemo Tensor Insulated is all about portability. Perfect for backpackers, this camping bed is lightweight but still quite comfortable. Its unique tensor design provides excellent support and comfort. 

The Tensor Insulated also has an advanced insulation system that provides excellent warmth, so its portability doesn’t mean sacrificing camping in cold weather conditions. Its R-value is 3.5, which is high enough to keep you warm in most cold weather conditions.

However, this camping bed isn’t as durable as some of the others on this list. Still, if portability is your main priority, you can’t go wrong with this bed. It’s also a budget-friendly $120-$200. 

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold-weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed

Click here to read about Discover Sleeping Bear Dunes: Michigan’s Coastline Hidden Gem

4. REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Sleep System 40

The REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Sleep System 40 is a versatile and comfortable all-seasons camping bed. Uniquely, it can be set up either as a double bed or two separate beds, making it ideal for couples or friends sharing a tent. 

The bed offers comfort and support along with an R-value of 4.5, enough to keep you toasty in cooler environments. It’s on the more expensive side at $300-$400 but, remember, is good all year around. 

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold-weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed

5. ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed

The ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed is an inflatable bed that still offers extra support using a unique coil system. The camping bed’s built-in pump makes inflating and deflating it a breeze and the inflatability means it’s incredibly lightweight and compact. 

Unfortunately, this bed isn’t the warmest camping bed on the market, but it’s a great choice for comfort and affordability. At $50 to $80, it doesn’t get more budget-friendly than that. 

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold-weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed

Click here to read about Camping at Mt Lemmon: An Unforgettable Adventure

6. KingCamp Strong Stable Folding Camping Cot

The KingCamp Strong Stable Folding Camping Cot is perfect for people who want to enjoy the camping experience, but not necessarily sleep on the ground. It has a unique folding design that keeps you off the dirt and in dreamland. 

Don’t let the folding frame fool you, though. The KingCamp Strong Stable Folding Camping Cot can support up to 440 pounds, making it ideal for the big and tall camper. For all its sturdiness, however, this is still one of the more lightweight and compact camping beds on the market. 

Full disclosure: the KingCamp Strong Stable Folding Camping Cot is more cot than a bed, and more rugged outdoors than glamping. While not known for luxurious comfort, its durability and sturdiness still keep you off the ground and cozy enough for a good night’s sleep. And it won’t put a dent in your budget, either, at $50 to $100. 

Choosing the right camping bed is essential for a good night’s sleep. All the beds we’ve reviewed will give you comfort, support, and insulation from the ground. The pricing for these camping beds run the gamut from budget-friendly to high-end, so we’re sure you’ll be able to get rested up for your camping adventure! However, remember prices listed here may vary depending on the retailer and any promotions or discounts that may be available.

Pros:

• Excellent insulation for cold weather camping
• Lightweight and packable
• Comfortable and supportive
• Durable materials

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other camping beds
• May make noise when moving around on the bed